It has been a strange couple of years for the Dorset Doddlers with many races being cancelled throughout the country. However, the Doddlers were determined to stage the ever-popular Stickler, and even the terrible storms and flooding the day before could not stop the race this year and over 400 hardy runners lined up at the start line to take on the 10.1-mile course.

Starting in Shillingstone, the runners take on the 1500ft of hills beginning with the infamous Stickle Path up to Okeford Beacon before climbing the ancient hill forts of Hod and Hambledon Hills. This year also saw the added obstacle of crossing a flooded river bridge!

This year’s winner was Jacek Cieluszecki of Bournmeouth AC in a time of 1h04m46s. First lady over the line was Molly Rasch in 1h19m48s. Second and Third Males were Christopher Peck (1h06m42s) and Tristan Cooper (1h07m27s). Second and Third Ladies were Jenny Lee Marshall (1h22m47s) and Tracy Cook (1h25m23s).

The winning Female Team was the Dorset Doddlers consisting of Tracy Cook, Sharon Hutchings and Rachel Harrison. First Male Team was won by the Littledown Harriers (Mark Packer, Paolo De Luca and Paul Turle).

The Dorset Doddlers would like to thank all the runners who braved the weather, all the marshals and everyone who help behind the scenes. The Race Directors would also like to mention Telesoft, CC Moore and Honeybuns who made very generous donations to make the race a success.

For more details on the Stickler or the Dorset Doddlers please see www.dorsetdoddlers.co.uk